TEXAS GOVERNOR SIGNS BAN ON SANCTUARY CITIES

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed what he calls a ban on sanctuary cities that allows police to ask about a person’s immigration status and threatens sheriffs with jail if they do not cooperate with federal authorities.

Gov. Abbott commented that Texas residents expect their lawmakers to “keep us safe.” Abbott added that “the reason why so many people come to America is because we are a nation of laws and Texas is doing its part to keep it that way.”

The Texas bill allows police to inquire about the immigration status of anyone they detain, a situation that can range from arrest for a crime to being stopped for a traffic violation. It also requires local officials to comply with federal requests to hold criminal suspects for possible deportation.

Texas Republicans say the bill is needed to ensure that local jails honor requests from federal officials to keep dangerous offenders behind bars in order to help federal immigration agents crack down on criminal suspects who are in the USA illegally.